Bad Ideas (First & Forever 4)

My boyfriend grinned and glanced at me as he told Seth, “He does the same for me.”

I said, “See you in a couple of hours, baby,” and blew Theo a kiss before ending the call.

As I stuck the phone in my pocket, Seth said, “I can see why you’re so smitten. He’s gorgeous.” Over the past few hours, I’d been totally raving about my boyfriend.

“He is, but he’s so much more than that, too. He usually keeps these huge walls between himself and the rest of the world, but he’s opened himself up and shown me how kind, vulnerable, and tender he is. He was making a real effort with you on the phone just now, by the way. It’s hard for him to let people in.”

“I remember when you used to complain about him. I always wondered if there was a spark there, and if maybe that was why he stirred up such a big reaction in you.”

I thought about that before saying, “I’m not sure what I felt before. I know I found him attractive, but I also thought he was the most frustrating person I’d ever met.”

“And now?”

“I’m head over heels in love with him. He’s all I think about. When we’re apart, I feel like a piece of me is missing. And when I’m with him, I feel safe, and loved, and…complete. I don’t know if that makes sense.”

He smiled at me. “Yeah, I totally get it. Have you told him yet?”

“No. I want the first time I tell him I love him to be romantic, instead of just blurting it out. I haven’t figured out what to do yet.”

“The important thing is just to say the words. Trust me.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I looked into my brother’s blue eyes, which were so like my own, and after a moment I said, “I owe you an apology, Seth.”

“For what?”

“You found the love of your life in Eden, and I should have just been happy for you. Instead, I made it about me.”

My brother shifted around so he was facing me and lowered his voice, not that anyone was within earshot. “But it affected you, too—not just because you had a crush on Eden, but because he’s your best friend, and you knew it was going to change the dynamic between the three of us forever.”

“I still could have done better, and I feel like an ass.”

“You’ve always been a wonderful brother, Casey, the best I could ever ask for. Please don’t beat yourself up for having a perfectly human reaction to a situation that first blindsided you, then turned your whole life on end.”

“You don’t have to be so understanding,” I said. “Feel free to tell me I acted like a jerk and fucked everything up.”

“You didn’t do that. Yes, it was awkward for a few weeks there. But here we are two months later, and we’re fine, all three of us. It just took a little time to adjust to the new scheme of things, that’s all.”

A big smile spread across my face. I hadn’t been the only one with a long-term crush on Eden, and I exclaimed, “You were in love with him for so long, and after all those years, you finally got your dream man—literally the only man you ever wanted! I don’t think I fully grasped how fantastic that is until just now.”

Seth chuckled and said, “I’d accuse you of dipping into the spiked eggnog, but I know you haven’t actually been drinking.”

“Nope, this is a fully sober lightbulb moment. While I was busy making your new relationship about me, I failed to see the big picture. But I get it now. You found exactly the right man, and you achieved the thing I wanted for you since the day you were born—I always wanted you to be happy, and now I know you truly are.”

“That’s what I’ve always wanted for you, too.” He pulled me into a hug and murmured, “I love you, bro.”

“Right back at you.”

Eden joined us just then and asked, “Is everything okay?”

I got up and grabbed him in a backslapping embrace. Then I let go of him and told my best friend, “Everything’s perfect. I just got done apologizing to Seth for being a self-centered asshole when you two got together. I should have said it at the time, but I’m saying it now instead—I’m truly happy for you and Seth, and I honestly believe you two are perfect for each other. You know, I thought nobody would ever be good enough for my kid brother. He found the only man who is.”

Eden grinned and asked, “How much eggnog have you had?”

I started to tell him I wasn’t drunk, but all of a sudden Lark appeared. He threw an arm around me and the other around Eden as he exclaimed, “It’s just like that Scrooge movie!”